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Area riservata

PhD Translational Medicine and Surgery - (ENG)

 

 

 

LABORATORIES AND RESEARCH CENTERS 

The laboratories of the different professors belonging to the Academic Board of the Research Doctorate in Translational Medicine and Surgery are divided into a series of Functional Areas listed below. In addition, we have access to core Service Centers of the University of Perugia (eg Functional Genomics Center, Experimental Oncology Area, Center for Preclinical Research, Electron Microscopy Center).

 

Pharmacology and Biochemistry Area  

 

The Biochemistry and Pharmacology laboratory is dedicated in particular to:

  • study of leukocyte activation and the effects of ischemia / reperfusion on myocardial damage.
  • effects on leukocyte activation of angiotensin II
  • effects of natural antioxidants contained in olive oil
  • role of angiotensin II and trimetazidine in myocardial reperfusion injury
  • signal transduction studies in platelets
  • enzyme activity expression studies (COX-1, COX-2, matrix metalloproteinases)
  • evaluation of the expression of important second messengers in the activation of platelets
  • evaluation of the effects of new platelet aggregation inhibitors
  • evaluation of the effects of new anticoagulants
  • evaluation of the effects of new active molecules on coagulation mechanisms (inhibitors, modulators, antagonists)

 

Cell Biology, Cell Culture and Microbiological Area 

 

  • Cell cultures and manipulations (stable and transient transfections, drug treatments)
  • Umbilical cord endothelial cell cultures
  • Blood outgrowth endothelial cells
  • Cultures of human-derived megakaryocyte stable lines
  • Isolation and purification of human-derived monocytes and macrophages
  • Culture and differentiation of CD34 from peripheral blood and umbilical cord
  • In vitro differentiation of megakaryocytes and formation of proplatelets

 

Cell Transplant Area 

 

  • The area is aimed at the isolation of cells from animal tissues and from human tissues intended for transplantation purposes and the production of biomaterials for human use. The laboratory is divided into sections and uses GLP methodologies, and in perspective GMP, with authorizations from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Within this area, studies will also be carried out aimed at the use of stem cells for the repair of ischemic heart muscle and for the treatment of vascular damage.
  • The Endocrine Cell Transplant Area, with forced ventilation with HEPA filters, is composed of the following environments: area1 or pre-filter area, area 2 or filter area, area 3 or GLP laboratory for isolation from human tissues and cell cultures of human origin, area 4 or GLP laboratory for isolation from animal tissues and cell cultures of animal origin, area 5 or laboratory for the production of clinical grade sodium alginate.

 

Molecular Biology Area 

 

The issues that are addressed in this type of laboratory are the following:

  • Pre-PCR sub-area: nucleic acid extraction (DNA and RNA), RNA manipulation, set-up PCR reactions and Real-Time PCR
  • Post-PCR sub-area: quantification of nucleic acids, DNA manipulation, analysis and manipulation of PCR products, manipulation of plasmid vectors, transformation of bacteria and amplification of plasmids, cloning.
  • Gene polymorphisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Extraction and quantification of protein lysates, Western Blot, in vitro kinase assays, sub-proteome separation with chromatographic techniques, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, digital gel image analysis, gel trypsinization of isolated protein spots, protein identification by means of tandem mass spectrometry of oligopeptides coupled to the search of protein sequence databases.

 

Metabolism area 

 

The laboratories belonging to this area mainly deal with:

  • Pathophysiology of glycemic regulation and counter-regulation
  • Evaluation of the effects of new molecules active in the regulation of glycidic metabolism.

 

Area of ​​Study of Platelet Function, Hemostasis and Thrombosis 

 

In the laboratories relating to this area, the following are carried out:

  • Molecular diagnosis of thrombocytopenia and hereditary thrombocytopathy
  • Matrix metalloproteinases in the regulation of platelet / vessel interactions and in atherogenesis
  • Innovative and biotechnological approaches to the development of new antiplatelet drugs    
  • Immune thrombocytopenia pathophysiology and therapy
  • Molecular studies on the mechanisms of hypercoagulability triggered by diabetes
  • Platelets and inflammation
  • Genetics of thrombophilias
  •  Cellular mechanisms of inflammatory lung diseases
  • Pathophysiology of signal transduction in platelets
  • Peripheral arterial disease: new diagnostic methodologies and innovative therapeutic approaches
  • Clinical-therapeutic studies of ischemic cardiovascular diseases
  •  Endothelial dysfunction

 

Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Area - Study of Isolated Organs

 

Aimed at studying the response of the heart and the contractility of isolated vessel segments in various pathological conditions, in the absence of confounding factors caused by changes in systemic hemodynamics. We study:

  • consequences of oxidative stress on myocardial contractility and coronary reserve during ischemia-reperfusion and in cardiotoxicity from chemotherapy,
  • role of angiotensin II and bradykinin in tissue and microvascular damage in the acute phase of ischemia-reperfusion
  • cardioprotective effects of drugs and mechanisms of action
  • effects of vasoactive mediators on the contraction of isolated vessel segments and pharmacological regulation

 

Radioimmunology area

 

The themes developed are the following:

  • analysis of the production of PGE2, PGD2, 6 keto PGF1a, TxB2, LTB4
  • measurement of insulin, somatostatin and glucagon content in pancreatic islets of different origin
  • evaluation of the release, after specific induction, of insulin by pancreatic islets or insulin-secreting cells.
  • quantitative evaluation of the presence of C-peptide in culture media or in human or animal sera.

 

Area of ​​Animal Models 

 

All the activities included in this functional area take place at the Center for Preclinical Research of the University of Perugia. The lines of research developed concern:

  • development of new transgenic mouse models of athero-thrombosis, their phenotyping and application to the study of the basic mechanisms of atherothrombosis and to the study and development of new pharmacological tools in the cardiovascular and endocrine-metabolic fields.
  • use of natural models of diabetes mellitus type I (NOD-SCID mice) for the evaluation of the corrective capacity of hyperglycemic syndrome by insulin-secreting cells of various origins (Langherans islands or differentiated stem cells or Sertoli cells) after transplantation;
  • induction of type I diabetes mellitus in small laboratory animals (mice and rats) by injection of diabetogenic substances (alloxan, streptozotocin) for the evaluation of the corrective capacity of hyperglycaemic syndrome by insulin-secreting cells of various origins (Langherans islands or differentiated stem cells) after transplantation;
  • use of mice with Laron's genetic syndrome after Sertoli cell transplantation, evaluating the possible appearance of measurable levels of GH.

 

Area of Data Analysis, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Image Analysis and Clinical Studies Management Area

 

  • In all the laboratories and research centers accessible to the students of the PhD course there is an area of ​​analysis and management of experimental data.
  • Tasks of this area are the study and evaluation of epidemiological, clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodinamic data. Moreover, in this area, the development and evaluation of health assistance softwares aimed at improving the appropriateness of the drug prescription, both in the general and elderly patient population, in hospital care and in outpatient services, in particular in residences for the elderly, is performed. In addition, data collection from phase IV studies, the development and study of new disease management models, professional accreditation and quality control systems, aimed at improving assistance and verifying the translation of evidence into clinical practice of effectiveness of the treatments will be carried out in this area. These aims and the relative data will be collected and elaborated through:
  • observational databases and registers on to the research topics followed by the various groups belonging to the Center;
  • observational databases and registers coming also from other centers, and coordinated in Perugia
  • database of pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., rehabilitation; implantation of devices) specific to the Structure
  • pharmacological, or non-pharmacological intervention databases coming also from other centers, and coordinated in Perugia,
  • databases resulting from the application of geriatric multidimensional assessment in services for the elderly;
  • database of epidemiological studies on the physical, cognitive and psychological state of the elderly population;
  • healthcare application softwares